How to Drill Ceramic

22nd March 2012

Disclaimer. Using rotary tools near water has never been, to the best of our knowledge, endorsed by any of the rotary tool manufacturers. If you do choose to drill near water or with attachments under water connected to your drill then you do so at your own risk. Please be aware that mixing electricity and water can be very dangerous.

8mm Diamond Core Drills tend to be used for the larger items such as cabinets, mirrors and shower frames.

Sponge and bowl of water (for use on tiles already attached to the wall)

Masking tape

Tray (for collecting waste water if tile not already attached to the wall)

Safety goggles

Step 1

For ceramic tiles already attached to the wall mark the position of where you require the hole to be with marker pen and place a strip of masking tape over the top. When you begin to drill the masking tape will help prevent any skittering across the surface of the tile.

For drilling tiles not yet attached to the wall or ceramic plates mark your intended drill hole in the same way and place the tile/plate into a tray which can catch the debris and water.

Step 2

Soak your sponge in water (keeping a bowl of water to hand in order to top up) and place directly next to your intended drill hole. The purpose of using a lubricant such as water is to ensure the material and your core drill bit does not overheat which can cause your material to crack and will shorten the life of your diamond drill bit.

Step 3

Start the drill, somewhere between 1000 and 1500 rpm and angle your diamond core drill on the masking tape to begin the drilling whilst at the same time squeezing water from your sponge directly onto the drilling process. The angling of the core drill bit will again help to prevent any skittering across the surface. As soon as you begin to cut into the ceramic plate or ceramic tile return your drill to its normal vertical position and continue to drill through your tile.